Maciej Karasinski holds a PhD in Sanskrit from the University of Calicut (Kerala). He studied Indian philology at the Jagiellonian University and participated in academic projects on Sanskrit and Malayalam manuscripts. He is currently pursuing a second PhD in the Department of Religious Studies at Stanford University. His research focuses on the rituals of Śākta Tantra communities in Kerala and healing practices in South Asia. He was awarded a Government of India fellowship (ICCR) to conduct research on Tantric traditions in Kerala. His other research interests include the history and practice of Śrīvidyā and Krama, shamanism, and environmental anthropology.

• 1 Introduction: Tantra and Śāktism in the Keralan context2 Tantric communities of Kerala: fieldwork among the Śākta practitioners3 Śākta Tantra and the martial arts temples4 Tantric Brahmins and castes in Kerala5 Entering the Śākta tradition: initiations, ritualism, and the notion of eligibility6 Tantrics and Mantravādins: sorcery and witchcraft in Kerala7 From Kashmir to Kerala: the Krama ritualism of Śākta Brahmins8 Conclusions: the many journeys through Śākta paths in KeralaAppendix 1 Nityapūjā (palm-leaf manuscript, private library, Calicut) Edited and translated by Maciej Karasinski and Ophira GamlielAppendix 2 The Nityapūjā manuscript and language at a glance (Ophira Gamliel)

Maciej Karasinski holds a PhD in Sanskrit from the University of Calicut (Kerala). He studied Indian philology at the Jagiellonian University and participated in academic projects on Sanskrit and Malayalam manuscripts. He is currently pursuing a second PhD in the Department of Religious Studies at Stanford University. His research focuses on the rituals of Śākta Tantra communities in Kerala and healing practices in South Asia. He was awarded a Government of India fellowship (ICCR) to conduct research on Tantric traditions in Kerala. His other research interests include the history and practice of Śrīvidyā and Krama, shamanism, and environmental anthropology.

• 1 Introduction: Tantra and Śāktism in the Keralan context2 Tantric communities of Kerala: fieldwork among the Śākta practitioners3 Śākta Tantra and the martial arts temples4 Tantric Brahmins and castes in Kerala5 Entering the Śākta tradition: initiations, ritualism, and the notion of eligibility6 Tantrics and Mantravādins: sorcery and witchcraft in Kerala7 From Kashmir to Kerala: the Krama ritualism of Śākta Brahmins8 Conclusions: the many journeys through Śākta paths in KeralaAppendix 1 Nityapūjā (palm-leaf manuscript, private library, Calicut) Edited and translated by Maciej Karasinski and Ophira GamlielAppendix 2 The Nityapūjā manuscript and language at a glance (Ophira Gamliel)

Maciej Karasinski holds a PhD in Sanskrit from the University of Calicut (Kerala). He studied Indian philology at the Jagiellonian University and participated in academic projects on Sanskrit and Malayalam manuscripts. He is currently pursuing a second PhD in the Department of Religious Studies at Stanford University. His research focuses on the rituals of Śākta Tantra communities in Kerala and healing practices in South Asia. He was awarded a Government of India fellowship (ICCR) to conduct research on Tantric traditions in Kerala. His other research interests include the history and practice of Śrīvidyā and Krama, shamanism, and environmental anthropology.

• 1 Introduction: Tantra and Śāktism in the Keralan context2 Tantric communities of Kerala: fieldwork among the Śākta practitioners3 Śākta Tantra and the martial arts temples4 Tantric Brahmins and castes in Kerala5 Entering the Śākta tradition: initiations, ritualism, and the notion of eligibility6 Tantrics and Mantravādins: sorcery and witchcraft in Kerala7 From Kashmir to Kerala: the Krama ritualism of Śākta Brahmins8 Conclusions: the many journeys through Śākta paths in KeralaAppendix 1 Nityapūjā (palm-leaf manuscript, private library, Calicut) Edited and translated by Maciej Karasinski and Ophira GamlielAppendix 2 The Nityapūjā manuscript and language at a glance (Ophira Gamliel)